If you set inside a Y facility you will see what they do and if you attend an event or program you can see why their necessary for a community. The Y is community based gym facility that hosts events and programs to enrich and cultivate the community.

The YMCA stands for the Young Men’s Christian Association but has evolved in to “the Y” due to its outreach to everyone. The organization was founded by George Williams in 1844 in London. It was built as a place of refuge for the young men from the harsh city life at the time.

Now over 160 years later the Y is still around but has now become an important part of the community it serves. Once a Y is established in a community, they become a vital part of a community’s growth through their activities and programs. With the help of the Y, people can realize their potential in volatile communities by becoming a safe drug free environment.

But there are more to just the Y then its facilities. Here are just a few more reasons why you should volunteer or join.

You become part of a community – By becoming part of the Y you build relationships with people in your community and become part of the overall good in the community.

You can become a mentor in a child’s life – Thousands of at-risk youth are being helped by the Y. Through the help of families and volunteers it is possible to give a child a future.

Get in shape – Becoming a member gives you access to gym facilities and access to a variety of exercise programs such as Zumba, yoga, and martial arts.

Gets kids off the streets – The Y’s engaging after school programs fosters learning and exercise which gives the ma healthy outlet as they get older.

Walk like an Egyptian in ancient Egypt. Learn from a scholar in ancient Greece. Find your knight in shining armor. With hundreds of arts spanning the centuries, from different cultures and places around the world, the Walters Art Museum has something that can appeal to everyone.

Imagine what life was like before electricity. Fascinating sculptures and paintings from different eras bring us glimpse of their culture and world. Learn from the geniuses of their era living in a land before the internet, laptops, or phones.

Playworks Volunteer Training Tonight!

WANTED: Enthusiastic high school students and adults looking to help their local elementary and middle schools with organized games.

Playworks is a non-profit organization that strives to improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play. Playworks needs volunteers to help Playworks coaches facilitate safe and healthy play and physical activities to low-income schools.

Tonight, November 29, from 6 – 8 PM at Waverly Elementary / Middle School, there will be Playworks Volunteer Training. During this training, volunteers will learn more about Playworks, play games that will help students focus more on their school work, and discoverhow much of an impact they can be in a child’s life and in the community by becoming a volunteer. Dinner will also be provided.

Most high schools need volunteer hours to graduate. The “volunteer” work done can count towards those required hours. Also the volunteer service that is done will look great on their college application.

If you can not make it to the volunteer training tonight, learn more from their website and apply online.

Open Mic Night!

Have new lyrics you want to sing? Have a poem to recite? Can you make people laugh? Know a great scene from a play or movie that you just want to act out? Then step out of your youtube channel and come do it live. Tonight is your night to show it to the world!

Germano’s Trattoria, an Italian restaurant in the heart of Little Italy, has an open mic night tonight from 7:30-9:00 PM.Hosted by opera and cabaret singer Jennifer Blades and pianist Michael Sheppard to keep the atmosphere fun and light.

Music accompaniment can also be arranged for singers if sheet music is provided upon sign up.

There is a $10 cover for the event but no drink or food minimum.

So, if you’re looking to see the upcoming talent of Baltimore, want to express yourself, or just looking for something fun to do tonight then come check out the open mic night! Don’t let your magic mic be the one that gets all the action.

Spots and seats at this event are limited so call Germano’s @ 410-752-4515 to make reservations and book your spot.

Let Students See How Bright They Can Shine

Baltimore Dance Crews Project is known for their skill to develop Baltimore youth. BDCP develops a culture of family and constant learning that would be beneficial in any child looking to stay on the right track. With the guidance of the BDCP community and dancing with a revolving door of outstanding choreographers, the youth are transformed into leaders and performers.

Even if the child or young adult has little to no experience dancing please let them considering trying out in the dance audition. The rewards outweigh the risk and you will be amazed at how a child can transform under the Baltimore Dance Crews Project.

Help a child’s passion and pass this to teachers, students, parents, guardians, family members, or any aspiring kid you see on Youtube.

The Baltimore Dance Crews Project is welcoming all middle and high school students interested becoming a BDCP Junior to Fall Auditions on November 17th. Elementary students are accepted on case by case basis.

BDCP Juniors have been recognized as examples to Baltimore City students for balancing their love of urban dance and academics. They have toured colleges and have shared the stage with some of the most respected urban dance groups across the East Coast. Most recently, the Juniors have been acknowledged by city education leaders at the Baltimore Educational Equity Summit hosted by Teach For America where they shared the same stage as Governor Martin O’Malley, Walter Isaacson, Senator Barbara Mikulski, and Wes Moore.

Urban dance training with the BDCP family pushes students to continually set higher expectations in themselves – physically, mentally, and academically.

“This is more than a club, this is a lifestyle.”
BDCP Junior Alumnus, Shay Tate 12′

The dance company has been a contender in all the major dance competition around the DC, Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) area. Some of the members of the company even went on to compete in America’s Best Dance Crew under the group, the Boogie Bots. Having competed in the dance scene for some time, they have gained a notoriety in the dance community.

Major Definition continues to encourage students of the dance and hip-hop community to passionately pursue and further develop their talents both in person and group choreography, freestyle and performance. While they still compete and ever-growing, Major Definition still holds true to their statement of educating people of the culture and fostering artistic talent by hosting free community workshops every week. Every Monday at 7:30 PM, they host a dance workshop on the University campus in the commons area. Showcasing a new choreographer each week, they keep the workshops fresh and learning more.

If your ever looking to learn some hip-hop I encourage you to attend their workshop. Also if you want to learn more and see when their next auditions are, check out their tumblr, facebook, and twitter for updates and information.

Baltimore Dance Crews Project is proud to be part of the Free Fall Baltimore’s 7th art extravaganza line-up. Join us in a series of FREE dance classes! Kids and parents are welcome to come out and learn, no dance experience necessary! Workshops will continue throughout the month of October.

Baltimore Dance Crews Project is proud to be part of the Free Fall Baltimore’s 7th art extravaganza line-up. Join us in a series of FREE dance classes! Kids and parents are welcome to come out and learn, no dance experience necessary! Workshops will continue throughout the month of October.